A colony of breeding, Big Brown Bats live in the bat boxes on the side of the Activity Barn. Watch the bats leave the bat boxes for the night. Search […]

Discover the amazing world of beetles. Find out what makes them different from other insects and which ones can be found around Hancock County. Look for examples of local beetles […]

Hancock County is home to 79 species of Odonata, also known as dragonflies and damselflies. Search for different species found in the park like the metallic green body and black […]

Some of the earliest pigments used to produce art were from mud, soil, and rocks. Create art using the earth by painting a fun picture using a brush and a bucket of mud, learn about the process of creating earth tone pigment paints, and try using some premade soil-based paint. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center […]

Worms are wonderful creatures that live underground. Children will be able to check out the inhabitants of the worm bin and learn the animal’s body parts, create a habitat to take home with them, go on a worm search, and make worm art. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 10 AM Ages 3-6 with an […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

The Discovery Center will be open for visitation. Visitors can choose to participate in unstructured and/or structured activities. Activities and attractions include bird watching via the Windows on Wildlife, mounted animals and live animals on display, nature videos, field guides and nature books for reading, touch table and puppets, and seasonal displays and exhibits. A […]

Chloe Nielson from the Millstream Astronomy Club will present a program titled Navigating by the Sky. The program will explain how to find location and direction using the stars or the Sun. After the program, view the night sky. The Millstream Astronomy Club will have telescopes available (club members can show you how to use […]

Metamorphosis is when an animal transitions from juvenile to adult forms while changing appearance. Animals that undergo this will be on display including butterflies and frogs. Children will be able to crawl through the Metamorphosis Tunnel and change from caterpillars into butterflies. Create a lifecycle wheel of a frog using construction paper and markers. All […]

Eggs come from different creatures in nature. See various kinds of eggs on display, then match the egg to who laid it. Play the egg game and search the area for hidden eggs. Litzenberg Memorial Woods Shelter 1 PM Ages 3-6 with an adult; other aged siblings are welcome to attend. Free; registration is not […]

Plein Air Gatherings are an opportunity for artists to get together and paint or draw outdoors “en plein air” in Hancock County parks.  All adult artists who use any medium conducive to working outdoors are welcome.  If you are new to plein air painting or are hesitant to go out on your own, these gatherings […]

Let’s go on a safari! Discover the various animals that would be found on a safari including elephants, lions, and zebras. Go on a local expedition through the Nature Play Area looking for wild animals including Northern Cardinals, Eastern Fox Squirrels, and Stag Beetles. Oakwoods Nature Preserve Discovery Center Porch 1 PM Ages 3 and […]